Young Entrepreneurs Rising: Part 2
Written by Bill Nelson // March, 2024
This is the second article in a three-part series of The Column, wherein we meet three young entrepreneurs, and members of The Collective, who accepted the challenges of entrepreneurship, and launched businesses despite the risk, forging ahead with confidence they have what it takes to succeed.
Here in part two, we’ll meet Lauren Peters founder and owner of Fringe + Ink Creative Co. located at 2703 Franklin St. in Michigan City, IN. Owning a business wasn’t a burning desire within Lauren Peters. She was too busy learning the salon and personal care industry, working eight years in a wide variety of positions including stylist, salon trainer, various corporate roles, and even as a manager for Kohler Water Spa, a well-known player in the personal care market. It was after acquiring such a broad repertoire of industry experience at a young age that Lauren’s husband encouraged her to open her own salon.
Although entrepreneurial inspiration arrived in her late 20s, creativity was already present at age three when Lauren’s grandmother taught her to play piano by ear, listening to a melody, then recreating it on the keyboard. That creativity became the foundation for who Lauren is as a person and as an artist today. Using that creativity and a list of all the aspects of the industry she had experienced and disliked, Lauren launched Fringe + Ink, a vibey salon and tattoo parlor that is sure to rock the image of the standard salon. Need a beverage? One will be served. Want a pillow to hug? You’ll find one in your lap. Prefer a cat in your lap to sooth your soul? Meow, kitty-kitty. Your wish is fulfilled.
A self-described high-class, badass, Lauren’s goal is to create an experience for her guests, not a transaction, a theme we also saw in part one of this series. (Maybe these young entrepreneurs are onto something!) She believes hair is custom and personal and is a crown people wear every day. Lauren says, “hair can make or break somebody, and it’s far more personal than we give it credit for.” Building her shop around that belief, Lauren intentionally designed an environment where guests feel welcome and safe, free to be themselves, express themselves, and be true to who they are, encouraging personal growth and connection. To further foster the intimacy and community of the salon, Lauren requires all guests to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, solidifying the sanctity of the space and protecting each guest’s privacy.
Fringe + Ink is an inclusive salon for women where guests can obtain exactly what they are looking for, but Lauren specializes in lived-in-color and extensions. A recognized expert in the world of hair extensions, Lauren is also an educator, traveling the country and teaching other artists the craft of accentuating existing beauty through hair extensions. Lauren is clear that she and her team of artists don’t create beauty, they spotlight the beauty that already exists in each of their guests. “I hope they look in the mirror and see themselves as I see them; beautiful and valued,” says Lauren.
But we can’t overlook a unique aspect of Fringe + Ink that sets the salon apart from others; a resident tattoo artist. Proving that beauty is more than skin deep, Lauren’s guests can get inked by a professional artist on site, adding that personal, permanent touch to highlight an achievement, honor a departed loved one, mark a mile-stone, or just to declare one’s bad-assery! And Fringe + Ink is taking the tattoo show on the road. Licensed to travel, Fringe + Ink will set up a temporary tattoo shop at wedding receptions, birthdays parties, or any other celebration where party attendees can pick a free, small tattoo from a list and get inked, marking the special occasion or something meaningful to them.
Despite the time commitment and demands of running her business, Lauren is also community-minded and wants her work and presence to have positive impact in the community that extends beyond her salon. Not surprisingly, Lauren loves riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle and plans to create a Women’s Motorcycle Collective where women can meet, ride together, and engage in fundraisers for local causes. She also plans to start a book club and wants to host formal balls to create positive opportunities for young people to gather. While achieving her goals can often feel daunting, Lauren says, “there are moments I look back on the journey and wonder how we did it. Yet here we are!” Yes, Lauren, here you are! And we can’t wait to see where you will go next!
You can follow Lauren and Fringe + Ink on social media at https://www.instagram.com/fringeandink/ & https://www.facebook.com/co.lo.rist13
Bill Nelson
Author / Lawyer / TC Member